“A driving licence is not a licence to kill,” says interior minister as senate votes in new laws

Italy’s parliament has passed legislation that creates a new offence of “omocidio stradale” – “road homicide” – as part of a sweeping reform of the law in cases where a motorist is charged with killing or injuring someone in a road traffic incident. How do the laws, and specifically the punishments laid down, compare with those in the UK?
Senators voted overwhelmingly in favour of the new legislation earlier this month, which will pass into law once it has been formally ratified by the President of the Republic, Sergio Matterella.
The bill had previously been passed by the country’s lower house, and Interior Minister Angelino Alfano reacted to the news by tweeting that “A driving licence is not a licence to kill,” adding, “I owed it to a friend. We owed it to all victims.”As this article from La Stampa explains, the new standalone offence of road homicide encompasses three separate scales of punishment depending on the circumstances of the case.
What is particularly striking for anyone familiar with the comparable laws in the UK are the minimum jail terms and driving bans stipulated, and the way the Italian system increases both the minimum and maximum sentences where there are aggravating circumstances such as a driver fleeing the scene, or being unlicensed.http://www.cps.gov.uk/news/fact_sheets/dangerous_driving/

Here are the three base offences and the punishment provided for each, as well as their equivalents in the UK. It should be noted that in Italy, the sentences can be reduced by up to half if the victim is found to have been partly responsible.Italy
Causing death when not driving in compliance with the Codice Stradale (Highway Code) – between 2 and 7 years’ imprisonment, 15-year ban.
Causing death by dangerous driving (eg speeding, ignoring traffic lights, risky overtaking) or with a blood alcohol level between 0.8 grams per litre and 1.5 grams per litre – between 5 and 10 years’ imprisonment, 15-year ban.
Causing death by driving with a blood alcohol level above 1.5 grams per litre or while under the influence of drugs – between 8 and 12 years’ imprisonment, 15-year ban.UK
Causing death by careless driving – up to 5 years’ imprisonment, minimum 1 year-ban.
Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs – 1 to 14 years in prison, minimum 2-year ban.
Causing death by dangerous driving – between 5 and 10 years’ imprisonment, minimum 2-year ban.
Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs – 1 to 14 years in prison, minimum 2-year ban.
The new laws in Italy also stipulate minimum and maximum jail terms for motorists who injure people while driving, examples including a minimum of six months’ imprisonment for causing serious injury through dangerous driving.
That rises to a maximum of seven years for drivers of large vehicles such as lorries or buses who are found to be drunk or under the influence of drugs.
Anyone convicted of causing injury while driving also receives an automatic five-year ban.